Try
Priests have a duty to form the consciences of the faithful regarding moral and social issues. This often interacts with politics but is distinct from partisan campaigning. For instance, priests should preach on Catholic Social Teaching, including the protection of life, care for the poor, and religious liberty. Indeed, they must help laypeople analyze candidates and policies based on Catholic principles, without telling them whom to vote for.
Vice President Sara Duterte: “Hindi na namin tinitingnan ‘yung chances of coming home.”
The show of force by the youth at the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power is a manifestation that young Filipinos are woke and understand that a collective voice calling for change is their real strength and power.
Can a head of state be held accountable not only for what he did, but also for what he said? In the end, it may not be a secret memo or a taped call that will bring down “the Punisher,” but the echo of his own voice.
The veterans of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution gathered on Feb. 25, hopeful despite the current political situation, as they are joined by the youth, their eyes wide open and ready to continue the fight to give true meaning to freedom and democracy.
By the time Butuyan concluded, there were not a few dry eyes in the gallery. He had articulated to a T the general public sentiment of the Duterte case in the ICC. We in the gallery were momentarily suspended in a state of disbelief.
Prosecutors played video clips and cited transcripts of Duterte’s speeches in which he issued his “kill, kill” orders, promised to shield police from prosecution and assured them they would not go to jail for actions taken in the drug war.
For fishermen in Zambales, the Philippines’ legal victory at the Arbitral Tribunal has not translated into greater access. “The 2016 ruling may have mattered at the top level, but we don’t feel it when we’re out at sea,” said Leonardo Cuaresma, who’s been fishing at Bajo de Masinloc for almost five decades and president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association.
In styling himself an international law expert, retired Justice Antonio Carpio has only managed to tie himself up in contradictions. His recent attempt to defend his ponencia in Magallona v Ermita (2011) only tightens the knot he now struggles to untangle. The landmark case had sought to declare Republic Act No. 9522 (2009) or the Archipelagic Baselines Law unconstitutional.
Update Feb. 20, 2026: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 allows Duterte to skip confirmation hearings next week.“The Chamber, while acknowledging the objections of the Prosecution and the CLRV, considers that, in the present circumstances of the case, it is appropriate to proceed with the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the absence of Mr Duterte.”
